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short ornamental grasses

If you’re looking to add year-round colour, texture, and form to your garden without taking up much space, short ornamental grasses are the perfect choice. These compact, versatile grasses thrive in New Zealand gardens and offer low-maintenance beauty in borders, rockeries, containers, and mass plantings. With their varied foliage and subtle flowers, short ornamental grasses can elevate any outdoor space, softening hard edges and creating lush, layered plantings that look good in every season.

Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.

Carex Frosted Curls

5 from 1 customers

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and 40 cm wide, performing best when planted on a well-drained site in full sun or partial shade. Carex Frosted Curls is commonly used in border plantings, rock gardens, planted around the base of larger plants, mass planted as a groundcover or on a bank, or simply grown in a container.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.

Lomandra Little Pal

5 from 1 customers

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions. This low-maintenance plant is ideal for borders, mass plantings, containers, and around outdoor living areas, adding year-round texture and color to gardens.

From $17.87

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
Liriope spicata plants with pink-blue flowers in a garden.
Liriope spicata (Creeping Lilyturf)

Liriope spicata, commonly known as Creeping Lily Turf, grows as a clump and produces arching, strap-like, dark green leaves. Short stems carrying...

From$17.95
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$20.63
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$11.50
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$16.95
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Lomandra Shara displaying fabulous blue-green foliage and growing beside a gravel path.
Lomandra Shara

Lomandra Shara is an ornamental grass renowned for its delicate, dark green foliage and graceful arching form. Reaching approximately 60 cm in height...

From$19.25
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.
Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$19.25
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.
Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$16.50
cymbopogon-citratus-4
Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Cymbopogon citratus (aka Andropogon citratus), commonly known as Lemongrass Grass or Citronella Grass, grows as a clump and produces flavoursome and...

From$20.63
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$9.95
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$11.50
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$17.87
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.
Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$11.50
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$17.87
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$20.63
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$9.95
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$19.95
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$19.95
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
A stunning Amenity Ryegrass lawn.
Amenity Ryegrass Seed (Lawn Seed)

Rye Grass Seed lawns are quick to establish and features dark green leaves year-round. Our Amenity Rye Grass is a popular turf variety that is...

From$13.07
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$18.63
Carex Frosted Curls

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acorus, Carex, and Isolepis, or related Categories - Grasses, and Mondo Grass.

Search short ornamental grasses

Why Choose Short Ornamental Grasses

Short ornamental grasses are ideal for both small and large garden designs. They add movement and contrast without dominating other plants, making them superb companions for perennials or shrubs. Many varieties are drought-tolerant and excellent for coastal or urban environments. Their modest height means they won’t block views or overwhelm pathways, and their adaptability makes them suitable for full sun or part shade positions.

Top Short Ornamental Grasses for New Zealand Gardens

Explore some of our favourite short ornamental grasses that offer structure, style, and ease of care:

Lomandra Little Pal

If you’re after a hardy, compact grass with a neat growth habit, Lomandra Little Pal is a stand-out. Reaching only 30cm tall, it forms tidy clumps of fine, green leaves and handles both sun and shade. It’s perfect for borders, low-maintenance mass planting, or underplanted around trees where you need tough, reliable groundcover.

Lomandra Evergreen Baby

Lomandra Evergreen Baby is another excellent low-growing grass, thriving even in difficult spots. This variety stays close to the ground, making it a top pick for edging or filling gaps in mixed plantings. The softly arching foliage of Lomandra Evergreen Baby complements larger grasses or colourful flowers beautifully.

Carex Frosted Curls

For striking texture and a silvery-green hue, Carex Frosted Curls is hard to beat. Growing to around 30cm high, its fine leaves curl and ripple, catching the light for year-round interest. Use it to soften garden edges, trail from pots, or cascade over retaining walls.

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush)

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush) features distinctive blue-grey foliage in upright, compact clumps. At only 40cm tall, this tidy rush brings structure to wet or boggy areas, rain gardens, or as contrast among other short ornamental grasses.

Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

The petite Ophiopogon japonicus Nana often called dwarf mondo grass, is loved for its deep green foliage and tufted habit, growing just 10cm high. It’s a favourite for pathway edging, between paving stones, or under shrubs where you want a soft, lush groundcover.

How to Use Short Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

Short ornamental grasses are incredibly versatile in New Zealand gardens. Plant them as low hedging along paths, mix them among flowering perennials for soft highlights, or use in pots for all-season interest on patios and decks. Their fine texture contrasts beautifully with bolder foliage, making them a designer’s secret for harmonious and dynamic plantings.

Caring for Short Ornamental Grasses

Most short ornamental grasses require little maintenance once established. They benefit from free-draining soil and, in most cases, tolerate dry conditions. A light trim in late winter or early spring keeps them neat and encourages new growth. Mulching helps to conserve moisture and reduces weeds, ensuring your chosen varieties thrive with minimal fuss.

Browse our range to discover how easy and rewarding short ornamental grasses can be in your garden. Whether you’re planting for structure, texture, or low-effort beauty, these compact wonders offer endless creative possibilities.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Love Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'? Then you’ll adore the quiet charm of Camellia 'Red Red Rose', Fig 'Brunswick', and Grape Steubens.
–The Plant Company

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